Saints survive scare from GSF in Beach Ball tuneup

Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach got the opportunity to play on one of the biggest stages in high school basketball on Wednesday, serving as the opening exhibition act for the 32nd annual Beach Ball Classic at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

The Saints (11-4) almost blew it, watching an early lead slip away in the final minuites before hanging on for a 49-47 victory over Green Sea Floyds, a team it beat by more than 30 points just 11 days ago on the road. The Trojans made it tougher test this time around.

“In the first half we played really, really well. We did everything we needed to,” said CAMB coach Darren Gore. “The second half we couldn’t hit the ocean it seemed like. So, we had to struggle and fight one out. It’s hard to beat a team twice in a row, but we did what we needed to do.”

Bernard Jones scored a team-high 16 points to lead the Saints, whose leading scorer, Kendall Henry, was held to only six points and six rebounds despite averaging a double-double in those categories. Austin Guyton added eight points for the Saints.

CAMB jumped out to a 35-24 halftime lead but went ice cold in the third period with only four points. GSF closed the gap but was unable to overtake the Saints, who have another exhibition game against Cape Fear Christian (NC) on Sunday at 3 p.m.